Clip-on emblem holder

ABSTRACT

A unitary extruded and cut plastic element serves as an emblem holder with a base member with a frontwardly protruding spacing flange from which a pierced support platform extends. The support platform receives the mounting pin shank of a wearable pin, to mount the head of the wearable pin frontward of the support platform, while a spring clasp is affixed to the pin shank rearward of the support platform. A clasp flange projects rearwardly of the base member, and a clasp member extends from the clasp flange towards the support member. The clasp flange and clasp member are resilient, and thus allow the emblem holder to be removably and nondestructively connected to an article of clothing. The support platform may have a rearwardly projecting protective flange.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to wearable ornaments in general, and more particularly to devices for attachment of small decorative elements to articles of clothing.

[0004] Wearable pins are commonly formed with a decorated head with a rearwardly extending sharpened pin shank. The pin shank is intended to pass through a buttonhole in the lapel of a suit coat and is there retained by a spring clasp. Such wearable pins may bear club insignia, fraternal emblems, patriotic or political sentiments, or may be simply fashion accessories. However, depending on a particular wearer's attire, there may not be an appropriately positioned buttonhole formed in the wearer's garments. Although it is possible to pierce the garment's fabric at any desired location, such treatment may adversely affect the structure of the garment, forming unsightly and permanent pinholes.

[0005] What is needed is a low-cost device for securely mounting conventional decorated pins to articles of clothing without permanently marring the clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The emblem holder of this invention is economically formed as a unitary extruded and cut plastic element. The emblem holder has a base member with a frontwardly protruding spacing flange from which a pierced support platform extends. The support platform receives the mounting pin shank of a wearable pin, to mount the head of the wearable pin frontward of the support platform, while a spring clasp is affixed to the pin shank rearward of the support platform. A clasp flange projects rearwardly of the base member, and a clasp member extends from the clasp flange towards the support member. The clasp flange and clasp member are resilient, and thus allow the emblem holder to be removably and nondestructively connected to an article of clothing. The support platform may have a rearwardly projecting protective flange.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for mounting conventional lapel pins to garments without piercing the fabric of the garment.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a resilient clip for mounting decorative pins to garments which is capable of being produced economically.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for mounting conventional lapel pins to garments which may be mounted in a variety of positions.

[0010] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the clip-on emblem holder of this invention in connection with an emblem pin and an article of clothing.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment emblem holder of this invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of another alternative emblem holder of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, a clip-on emblem holder 20 is shown in FIG. 1. The emblem holder 20 is preferably formed as an extruded and drilled plastic part. The emblem holder 20 may be formed of a plastic material such as polyester, vinyl, acrylic, PVC, etc., having moderate resilience. The emblem holder 20 cooperates with a conventional wearable pin 22 which has a head 24, usually decorated, and a rearwardly protruding pin shank 26 which has a sharpened point 28. The wearable pin 22 has a conventional separate spring clasp 30 with a center hole 32 which receives and resiliently grips the pin shank 26.

[0015] The emblem holder 20 has a base member 34 which extends from a lever end 36 to a support end 38. The base member 34 is generally rectangular and of constant thickness. The base member 34 extends in front of the article of clothing 40 to which the emblem holder 20 is attached. A spacing flange 42 extends frontwardly from the support end 38 of the base member 34. A support member 44 is connected to the spacing flange and extends parallel to the base member 34, but in front of it. The spacing flange 42 positions the support member about 1/4 inch to about 3/8 inches forward of the base member, and has a center through hole 46 which receives the shank 26 of the wearable pin 22. The frontward spacing of the support member 44 provides a volume which receives the spring clasp 30 on the rear of the pin shank 26 while preventing the pin shank or the spring clasp from engaging against the article of clothing 40.

[0016] The emblem holder 20 is releasably mounted to the article of clothing 40 by a clasp 48 which is preferably integrally formed with the plastic emblem holder 20. The clasp 48 is comprised of a clasp flange 50 which extends rearwardly from the base member 34 at a position near the lever end 36. A clasp member 52 extends from the clasp flange 50 toward the support end 38 of the base member 34. The clasp member 52 is angled frontwardly as it extends toward the support member to define a resiliently clasping nip 54 where it abuts the support member.

[0017] The clasp member 52 and the clasp flange 50 are resilient to permit the emblem holder 20 to be removably fastened to the article of clothing 40 between the clasp member and the base member 34. The clasp member 52 has an inlet end 56 with a rearwardly angled rim 58 which assists in opening the clasp 48 when the nip 54 is moved sidewardly against the free edge 60 of the article of clothing 40, such as will be found along a lapel, for example, or the top edge of a jacket or shirt pocket.

[0018] To facilitate the release of the emblem holder 20 from its position attached to the article of clothing 40, a lever arm 62 is formed extending from the clasp member 52 in the direction of the lever end 36 of the base member 34. A lever arm 62 protrudes down the clasp flange 50 such that the force applied to the lever arm serves to space the clasp member 52 from the base member 34 and thereby release the emblem holder 20 from the article of clothing 40.

[0019] In use, the person desiring to mount a wearable pin simply inserts the pin shank 26 through the through hole 46 in the support member 44 of the emblem holder 20, the decorative head 24 of the wearable pin then is positioned frontwardly of the support member, while the spring clasp is connected to the shank which extends through the hole 46 and is supported rearwardly of the support member.

[0020] An alternative embodiment emblem holder 64 is shown in FIG. 2. The emblem holder 64, like the emblem holder 20, has a base member with a frontwardly projecting spacing flange 66 which positions a support member 68 frontwardly of the base member 69. The support member has a through hole 70 which receives the pin shank 26 of the wearable pin 22. The spring clasp 30 grips the pin shank 26 adjacent the rear surface of the support member 68. A protective flange 72, about the same height as the spacing flange 66, extends rearwardly from the support member 68 and is spaced on the opposite side of the support member from the spacing flange. The protective flange 72 obscures the pin shank and spring clasp 31 when viewed from the side, and also more affirmatively prevents the pin shank or spring clasp from engaging against and damaging the article of clothing 40. The emblem holder 64 is also provided with a clasp member 76 connected by a clasp flange 74 to the base member.

[0021] Another alternative embodiment emblem holder 78 is shown in FIG. 3. The emblem holder 78 may also be formed as an extruded and drilled plastic element, but is more compact than the emblem holders 20, 64 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. An emblem holder 78 has a support member 80 with a central through hole 82 which receives the pin shank 26 of the wearable pin 22 and which receives the spring clasp 30 rearwardly thereof. A spacing flange 84 extends rearwardly from the support member 80 and a base member 86 extends parallel to the support member and beneath the support member. A clasp flange 88 extends rearwardly from the base member 86 and a clasp member 90 extends toward the base member from the clasp flange 88. The support member 80, the base member 86, and the clasp member 90 all extend in the same direction away from the spacing flange 84. The clasp member 90 has a lever arm 92 which extends away from the clasp flange 88 in a direction opposite the clasp member 90.

[0022] The emblem holders 20, 64, 78 may be formed as injection molded parts, or, because they are constant in cross section, with the exception of the through hole which receives the wearable pin, they may be extruded and cut and drilled for economical production. They permit conventional wearable pins to be mounted on a variety of men's or women's clothing without requiring the fabric of the clothing to be pierced. It should be noted that other resilient or spring-biased clasp elements may be substituted for the integrally formed plastic clasp flange and clasp member disclosed herein. For example, an in-molded metal clip can be provided, or a metal or plastic spring-biased clasp member can be attached to the base member by fasteners. The clasp may be attached in the molding process, or after molding. Moreover, in addition to a plastic appearing finish, the plastic material may be provided with a metallic appearing finish, for example to simulate brass or chrome metal. The emblem holder is readily attached to a collar or a pocket, and can draw greater attention to the mounted wearable pin.

[0023] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. An device for attaching a wearable pin to an article of clothing, the pin having a head, a rearwardly protruding pin shank, and a spring clasp releasably mounted to the pin shank, the device comprising: a base member which extends from a lever end to a support end; a spacing flange extending frontwardly from the support end of the base member; a support member which is connected to the spacing flange, and is thereby positioned frontwardly of the base member, the support member having portions defining a hole through which the pin shank is receivable, the wearable pin being thereby attachable to the article of clothing by receipt of the pin head frontwardly of the support member, and the spring clasp rearwardly of the support member; and a clasp member connected to and extending in rearwardly opposed relation to the base member, the clasp member being resilient to permit the device to be removably fastened to the article of clothing by clasping said article of clothing between the clasp member and the base member.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a clasp flange extending between the base member and the clasp member, and a lever arm extending from the clasp flange away from the clasp member, the lever arm protruding beyond the clasp flange, such that a force applied to the lever arm serves to space the clasp member from the base member and thereby release the device from an article of clothing.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a protective flange spaced from the spacing flange and extending rearwardly from the support member.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is formed of a unitary plastic element.
 5. A device for attaching a wearable pin to an article of clothing, the pin having a head, a rearwardly protruding pin shank, and a spring clasp releasably mounted to the pin shank, the device comprising: a base member which extends from a first end to a second end; a spacing flange extending frontwardly from one of the first end and the second end of the base member; a support member which is connected to the spacing flange, and is thereby positioned frontwardly of the base member, the support member having portions defining a hole through which the pin shank is receivable, the wearable pin being thereby attachable to the article of clothing by receipt of the pin head frontwardly of the support member, and the spring clasp rearwardly of the support member; a clasp flange extending rearwardly from the base member; and a clasp member extending in rearwardly opposed relation to the base member, the clasp member and clasp flange being resilient to permit the device to be removably fastened to the article of clothing by clasping said article of clothing between the clasp member and the base member.
 6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a lever arm extending from the clasp member in a direction away from the clasp member, the lever arm protruding beyond the clasp flange, such that a force applied to the lever arm serves to space the clasp member from the base member and thereby release the device from an article of clothing.
 7. The device of claim 5 wherein the support member, the base member and the clasp member all extend in the same direction away from the spacing flange.
 8. The device of claim 5 wherein the support member extends away from the base member, and the clasp member extends from the base member toward the spacing flange.
 9. The device of claim 5 further comprising a protective flange spaced from the spacing flange and extending rearwardly from the support member.
 10. The device of claim 5 wherein the device is formed of a unitary plastic element.
 11. A device for attaching a wearable pin to an article of clothing, the pin having a head, a rearwardly protruding pin shank, and a spring clasp releasably mounted to the pin shank, the device comprising: a base member which extends from a first end to a second end; a spacing flange extending frontwardly from the base member; a support member which is connected to the spacing flange, and is thereby positioned frontwardly of the base member, the support member having portions defining a through hole through which the pin shank is receivable, the wearable pin being thereby attachable to the device by receipt of the pin head frontwardly of the support member, and the spring clasp rearwardly of the support member; and a clasp extending rearwardly from the base member and having portions which permit the device to be removably fastened to the article of clothing by clasping said article of clothing.
 12. The device of claim 11 further comprising a protective flange spaced from the spacing flange and extending rearwardly from the support member.
 13. The device of claim 11 wherein the device is formed of a unitary plastic element. 